TJG George Wein Fellowship Commission Becca Stevens
The Jazz Gallery1160 Broadway, New York 10001
Becca Stevens brings her quartet to The Jazz Gallery for a TJG George Wein Fellowship Commission program. Stevens sings and plays guitar, joined by vocalist Gretchen Parlato, Brad Kolonder on banjo, and Alan Hampton on bass. The commission places new work at the heart of the evening, with a lineup that foregrounds Stevens’s writing alongside close vocal interplay and the uncommon blend of guitar, banjo, and bass.
North Carolina bred and Brooklyn based, Stevens is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her music draws together jazz, Irish and Appalachian folk, indie pop, and West African music, shaped by intricate harmonies and rhythms. She has collaborated with Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, José James, Jacob Collier, David Crosby, Sō Percussion, Caroline Shaw, and the Attacca Quartet. JazzTimes called her an “x-factor artist” who takes music in “unexpected directions,” while Relix described her work as “equal parts jazz, pop, funk and classical music,” with electronic dance beats also in the mix.
The Jazz Gallery offers a focused listening room experience on the fifth floor of a Midtown office building, where the audience gathers to hear progressive jazz performed by emerging and established artists. The space is designed to highlight the music without distractions: seating is arranged to bring listeners close to the performers, fostering a direct connection with the sound. There is no food service, but a bar is available, and ticket prices are modest, encouraging accessibility. Shows typically run from 7 to 11 pm on select nights, featuring multiple sets that invite deep engagement rather than casual socializing. The venue’s commitment to artistic growth is evident in its support for new compositions and collaborations, making an evening here a chance to witness jazz as a living, evolving art form in a setting that respects both the musicians and the audience.